Mooring system

ABSTRACT

A light-weight anchoring device is lowered through the water to an anchor station on the bottom. The anchoring device includes a plurality of fluke members which are movable against the action of a spring, and include latching surfaces. The anchoring device is lowered through an aperture in the anchor station which causes the flukes to compress against the action of the spring and thereafter expand once the latching surfaces are past the aperture, to thereby latch on to the bottom station. A mooring line extends from the anchoring device to a surface buoy and retrieval is accomplished by sending a weighted messenger down the mooring line to compress the flukes together so that withdrawal from the aperture may be effected.

United States Patent 1 Chen 1 1 MOORING SYSTEM [75] Inventor: Philip M. Chen, Washington, DC.

[73] Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation,

Pittsburgh, Pa.

[22] Filed: Dec. 1, 1971 [21] Appl. No.2 203,671

52 us. Cl. 114/206 R 51 int. Cl. B63b 21/52 58 Field of Search 114/206 R, 230, 16.4,

114/168, 44, 50; 244/1 15; 294/66 R, 94, 116; 102/13; 73/425.4 R; 16/1; 9/8 R CID [ Aug. 14, 1973 Primary ExaminerMilton Buchler Assistant Examiner-Galen L. Barefoot Attorney-F. H. Henson et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A light-weight anchoring device is lowered through the water to an anchor station on the bottom. The anchoring device includes a plurality of fluke members which are movable against the action of a spring, and include latching surfaces. The anchoring device is lowered through an aperture in the anchor station which causes the flukes to compress against the action of the spring and thereafter expand once the latching surfaces are past the aperture, to thereby latch on to the bottom station. A mooring line extends from the anchoring device to a surface buoy and retrieval is accomplished by sending a weighted messenger down the mooring line to compress the flukes together so that withdrawal from the aperture may be effected.

11 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures 1 MOORING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention:

The invention in general relates to mooring systems, and particularly to a light-weight mooring system for navigation buoys which require repetitive deployment and retrieval.

2. Description of the Prior Art A major concern of those who use the waterways for travel and commerce is accurate knowledge of local bottom topography. Accordingly, aids to navigation in the form of buoys are accurately deployed in navigable rivers, lakes and coastal waters to channel traffic, warn of danger, and alert mariners to their location.

In many areas due to weather conditions and mainte nance problems, the buoys must be annually deployed and retrieved together with their mooring chains and concrete block anchors which may weigh several thousand pounds. This repetitive mass operation involves considerable ship operational time as well as the expenditure of considerable materials and labor. An accurate navigational position must be determined for each buoy each time it is deployed and the entire process is expensive and time consuming.

With the advent of light-weight buoy constructions, it would be desirable if the buoy deployment could take place from a relatively small tender, however, the problem still exists of handling the massive concrete anchor.

It would be desirable if this massive anchor could be deployed just once without the requirement of repetitive retrieval, sightings, and deployment. One way of accomplishing this goal would be to have the mooring line extend from the anchor to a surface float and periodically connect and detach the light-weight buoy to the float. Many mooring lines extending through the water, to respective surface buoys, however, are extremely objectionable as they present possible hazards to navigation. Accordingly, a requirement exists for an inexpensive, simple-to-operate, rugged system that can accomplish repetitive mooring of light-weight buoys with high accuracy in repetition of mooring without requiring lines to be left in the water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Basically, the mooring system of the present invention includes an anchor station which is placed on the bed of a body of water and is preferably left in position for the entire life of the anchor station. An anchoring device is lowered through the water and connects to the anchor station with the provision of cooperative latching means. A mooring line connected to the anchoring device extends toward the water surface and is connected to a member to be moored. At retrieval time, a weight is lowered down the mooring line and is of such configuration to unlatch the cooperative latching means so that the anchoring device may be brought to the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an in situ embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view with portions broken away illustrating the anchor station of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative construction of an anchor station;

FIG. 4 is a front view of an anchoring device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the anchoring device;

FIGS. 6 through 8 illustrate the insertion of the anchoring device through a latch plate of the anchor station;

FIG. 9 illustrates one form of retrieval weight which may be utilized in retrieving the anchoring device;

FIG. 10 illustrates the retrieval process;

FIGS. 11 through 14 illustrate the deployment and retrieval operation with another embodiment of anchoring device and anchor station;

FIG. 15 illustrates a modified form of latching surface of the anchoring device;

FIGS. 16-19 illustrate the deployment and retrieval operation with yet another embodiment of anchoring device and anchor station; and

FIG. 20 illustrates an anchoring device operable without the use of a spring means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in a deployment operation. An accurately and previously positioned anchor station is situated on the bed 12 of a body of water. Anchoring device 14 is being lowered through the water column from a small deploying vessel 16 by flexible cable means such as mooring line 18.

As will be described, the anchoring device and anchor station include cooperative latching means and releasable attachment is made by the continued lowering of the anchoring device into the anchor. station. For some situations, the bottom 12 may be visible from the deploying vessel 16 and the anchoring device 14 may be visually lowered to the target anchor station 10. In turbid waters or relatively deeper water such as up to I00 feet or more, for example, means should be provided for effecting initial contact. One way of accomplishing the contact where the anchor station cannot be seen is by the use of underwater television for example, or as illustrated in FIG. 1, use of a high resolution sonar 20 preferably of the type which scans the area and periodically projects acoustic energy of an extremely narrow beam width and receives and portrays reflected acoustic energy on a display device such as a cathode ray tube. To enhance target acquisition and accurate engagement, the anchor station 10 and the anchoring device 14 include readily identifiable sonar targets 24 and 25 respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the anchor station 10 includes a base portion 30 of sufficient weight to maintain the anchor station in an upright orientation. One material which may be used for the base portion is concrete. Extending up from the base portion 30 are a plurality of legs 32 which, in conjunction with plate 34 serve to support cone member 36 having at the bottom thereof a latching means in the form of horizontal latch plate 40 having an aperture 41 centrally disposed therein.

Since the anchor station 10 may be relatively approached by the searching vessel from any direction, it is preferable that the sonar target 24 extend all the way around the station. In one embodiment, therefore, the sonar target 24 takes the form of a toroidal ring having entrapped air spaces therein and positioned around the upper portion of cone member 36.

The cone 36 serves as a means for capturing the anchoring device and guiding it to the latch plate 40. Another type of arrangement which does not include the cone member 36 is illustrated in FIG. 3 and simply shows an aperture latch plate 44 resting on a base member 45. Numerous other configurations are possible to provide the anchoring device and anchor station with releasable cooperative latching means.

One form of possible anchoring device is illustrated by way of example in FIG. 4 showing a front view, and in FIG. 5 showing a side view. The anchoring device includes a central body portion made up of members 50 and 51 joined and held in spaced-apart relationship by means of pins 53.

The anchoring device 14 includes a plurality of movable projecting members such as flukes 56 and 57 pivotally connected to the central body portion at the lower pin 53. The flukes are held in expanded position by spring means in the form of leaf springs 60 connected to the body portion at the central pin 53 and connected to the flukes 56 and 57 at points 62 and 63 respectively. The flukes 56 and 57 include respective latching surfaces 67 and 68 which will engage the underside of latch plate 40 after insertion through the aperture 41.

As the anchoring device 14 is lowered through the water, it may be readily identified on the sonar display by the provision of sonar target 25 which may simply be a hollow pipe capped at both ends. After entering the capture cone (FIG. 2) further deployment brings the anchoring device just above the aperture 41. The dimensions of the arrangement are such that the diameter D of the aperture 41 is smaller than the distance between the outer most portions 70 and 71 of the flukes 56 and 57.

Initial contact of the anchoring device with the latch plate 40 is illustrated in FIG. 6. Further lowering of the anchoring device after the initial contact illustrated in FIG. 6 will cause the fluke members 56 and 57 to compress towards the central body portion until such time as the outermost portions 70 and 71 fit through the aperture 41. This point in the operation is illustrated in FIG. 7. Further lowering will bring the latching surfaces 67 and 68 below the bottom of the latch plate 40 whereupon under action of the spring 60 the flukes will jump to an expanded position by which cooperative latching occurs. The member to be moored is connected to the mooring line 18 and is secured to the anchor station since the flukes being in expanded condition cannot pass back through the aperture in the latch plate 40.

At retrieval time, anchoring device 14 must be uncoupled from the anchor station without the aid of diver intervention. To accomplish the unlatching, there is provided a retrieval weight one example of which is illustrated in FIG. 9. The retrieval weight 74 is divided into two sections 74a and 74b hinged together so that they may be closed about the mooring line which rides in the interior channel 77. The weight includes an interior conical mouth portion 79 which encompasses the flukes of the anchoring device causing them to retract, to effect unlatching.

Once the retrieval weight 74 is clamped about the mooring line at the surface, it may be dropped freely through the water column riding down the mooring line or alternatively it may be lowered by means of a line attached to loops 81 on the top of the retrieval weight.

The retrieval action can be seen in FIG. 10 where the retrieval weight 74 has been lowered down the mooring line 18 and the conical mouth 79 has caused the fluke members 56 and 57 to compress toward the body of the anchor. The distance between outermost portions and 71 is now less than the diameter of aperture 41 so that tension on mooring line 18 will effect removal of the anchoring device from anchor station.

Where conditions warrant, weighting means may be utilized for assisting in positive coupling by adding weight to the anchoring device. For example, the retrieval weight '74 may double as a delivery weight and FIG. 10 therefore could also represent a point in the deployment process where the weight 74 and anchoring device 14 have been delivered as a unit and the anchoring device is being inserted through the aperture 41 in the latch plate 40. When used as a delivery weight, the weighting means 74 would preferably include a distinguishable sonar target 84.

This sonar target, as well as the other sonar targets previously discussed, may be passive or active such as an acoustic transponder emitting distinct signals so that the scanning sonar will readily identify the unit.

The sequence thus far described illustrates by way of example a latching means on the anchor station in the form of an apertured latch plate. Numerous other configurations for cooperative latching are possible. One such other arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 11 to which reference is now made.

The base or anchor station 88 instead of having an apertured latch plate, has a mushroom-like projection member 90 for cooperative engagement with the anchoring device 94. The anchoring device 94 includes a plurality of fluke members 96 and 97 movable around pivot 98. Fluke member 96 includes an upper portion 100 and a lower portion 101 and similarly, fluke member 97 includes an upper portion 103 and a lower portion 104. The lower portions 101 and 104 define in essence a claw which will grip the projection 90. Spring 106 is such that it forces the upper parts 100 and 103 apart thereby tending to close the claw.

The anchoring device 94 may be lowered down so that the ends of the lower portions 101 and 104 engage the outer surface of the projection 90 whereby further lowering under force of gravity will force the claw open against the action of spring 106. An alternative method, and as illustrated in FIG. 11 utilizes a delivery weight 110 having a conical mouth 113 which forces the upper parts 100 and 103 toward one another tending to open the claw. The combination is lowered, as illustrated in FIG. 12 to where the lower portions 101 and 104i encompass the projection 90. The delivery weight is then pulled to the surface as in FIG. 13 and in so doing the spring member, forcing the upper portions 100 and 103 apart, effects the lower portion contact with the projection.

Upon retrieval the weight 110 is sent down the mooring line, its conical mouth forces the upper parts 100 and 103 of the anchoring device towards one another against the action of the spring to release the grip of the lower portions 101 and 104 from the projection 90. The combination is then hauled to the surface, as illustrated in FIG. 14.

In the anchoring device as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 1 1, the contact area of the latching surface is a function of the thickness of the fluke members. An alternative latching surface is illustrated in FIG. 15 wherein the latching means of the anchor station is comprised of a spherical projection 120 and the gripping portions of the fluke members 123 and 124 are in the form of generally hemispherical cups 126 and 127 respectively, thus providing for a relatively large contact area.

In the previously described anchoring devices, the spring means is such as to force the fluke members apart, above the pivot point. In the anchoring device 130 illustrated in FIG. 16, the flukes 132 and 134 cross one another at pivot point 136 and are biased towards one another above the pivot point by spring member 139. The anchoring device may be delivered to the anchor station 88 in conjunction with weight 142 which forces the upper portions of the flukes 132 and 134 apart to allow the lower portions thereof to encompass the projection 90, as illustrated in FIG. 17.

Removal of the weight 142 will bring the upper portions of the fluke members together under action of the spring so that cooperative contact can be made as illustrated in FIG. 18. I

In FIG. 19 the weight has been sent down the mooring line to release the grip on .the projection and the combination is being retrieved.

There has been described various constructional details of the mooring system and in the light of these teachings it is apparent that various modifications are possible.

With respect to the anchoring device, for example, various constructional arrangements wherein the spring means is eliminated, is possible. One such arrangement is illustrated in FIG. which shows an anchoring device 150 having fluke members 153 and 154. The flukes are hinged together at pivot 156 and the weight of each fluke, indicated by the symbol w, acting through the respective centers of gravity (COG) causes respective moments about the pivot 156. The flukes 153 and 154 however are prevented from complete rotation about the pivot 156 by lower portions 159 and 160 of flukes 153 and 154, which bear against oneanother so that the flukes of the anchoring device 150 assume the position illustrated. When the flukes engage the latch plate 163 and proceed through the aperture 164 the camming action will cause the flukes to move toward one another until such time as the latching surfaces 167 and 168 are through the aperture 164 at which point the flukes will again move to the relative position illustrated to establish coupling. For retrieval operations a retrieval weight may be sent down in mooring line 170 to bring the flukes together, as in FIG. 10.

What I claim is:

l. A mooring system comprising:

A. An anchor station for placement on the bed of a body of water;

B. an anchoring device for lowering through the water for releasable connection with said anchor station;

C. said anchor station and said anchoring device including cooperative latching means;

D. a mooring line for connection to said anchoring device and extendable toward the water surface for connection to a member to be moored; and

E. weight means lowerable down said mooring line for contacting and unlatching said cooperative latching means whereby said anchoring device may be brought to said surface.

2. A mooring system comprising:

A. An anchor station for placement on the bed of a body of water;

B. said anchor station including latching means;

C. an anchoring device attached to a mooring line for lowering through the water for connection to said anchor station;

D. said anchoring device including a plurality of movable projecting members having latching portions for cooperative engagement with said latching means and said anchor station and being constructed and arranged to receive a weight means lowerable down said mooring line for relatively moving said projecting members to bring said anchoring device out of said cooperative engagement;

B. said mooring line consisting of flexible cable means for lowering said anchoring device to initially contact said latching means of said anchor station;

F. said latching means and said anchoring device being constructed and arranged that further lowering of said anchoring device after said initial contact effects said cooperative engagement.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein:

A. said movable projecting members of said anchoring device are fluke members having respective latching surfaces.

4. A system according to claim 2 which includes A. spring means connected to said movable projecting members for biasing said members to a first position,

B. said further lowering of said anchoring device effecting movement of said members against the bias action of said spring means toward a second position,

C. said members returning toward said first position upon cooperative engagement.

5. A system according to claim 3 which includes:

A. said weight means including an interior. channel for surrounding said cable means, and a conical mouth portion for contacting and moving said fluke members.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein:

A. said weight means is constructed in at least two sections whereby said sections may be placed surrounding said cable means and thereafter be secured to one another.

7. A system according to claim 2 wherein:

A. said latching means of said anchor station includes a latch plate having an aperture therein through which a portion of said anchoring device is inserted.

8. A system according to claim 7 which includes:

A. a conical member connected to said anchor station for capturing and directing said anchoring device to said aperture.

9. A system according to claim 2 wherein:

A. said latching means of said anchor station is a projection member onto which said movable projecting members grasp.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein:

A. said latching portions of said projecting members are in the form of generally hemispherical cups.

11. A system according to claim 1 which includes:

A. first readily identifiable sonar target means other than, and connected to, said anchoring device,

B. second readily identifiable sonar target means other than, and connected to, said anchor station. 

1. A mooring system comprising: A. An anchor station for placement on the bed of a body of water; B. an anchoring device for lowering through the water for releasable connection with said anchor station; C. said anchor station and said anchoring device including cooperative latching means; D. a mooring line for connection to said anchoring device and extendable toward the water surface for connection to a member to be moored; and E. weight means lowerable down said mooring line for contacting and unlatching said cooperative latching means whereby said anchoring device may be brought to said surface.
 2. A mooring system comprising: A. An anchor station for placement on the bed of a body of water; B. said anchor station including latching means; C. an anchoring device attached to a mooring line for lowering through the water for connection to said anchor station; D. said anchoring device including a plurality of movable projecting members having latching portions for cooperative engagement with said latching means and said anchor station and being constructed and arranged to receive a weight means lowerable down said mooring line for relatively moving said projecting members to bring said anchoring device out of said cooperative engagement; E. said mooring line consisting of flexible cable means for lowering said anchoring device to initially contact said latching means of said anchor station; F. said latching means and said anchoring device being constructed and arranged that further lowering of said anchoring device after said initial contact effects said cooperative engagement.
 3. A system according to claim 2 wherein: A. said movable projecting members of said anchoring device are fluke members having respective latching surfaces.
 4. A system according to claim 2 which includes A. spring means connected to said movable projecting members for biasing said members to a first position, B. said further lowering of said anchoring device effecting movement of said members against the bias action of said spring means toward a second position, C. said members returning toward said first position upon cooperative engagement.
 5. A system according to claim 3 which includes: A. said weight means including an interior channel for surrounding said cable means, and a conical mouth portion for contacting and moving said fluke members.
 6. A system according to claim 5 wherein: A. said weight means is constructed in at least two sections whereby said sections may be placed surrounding said cable means and thereafter be secured to one another.
 7. A system according to claim 2 wherein: A. said latching means of said anchor station includes a latch plate having an aperture therein through which a portion of said anchoring device is inserted.
 8. A system according to claim 7 which includes: A. a conical member connected to said anchor station for capturing and directing said anchoring device to said aperture.
 9. A system according to claim 2 wherein: A. said latching means of said anchor station is a projection member onto which said movable projecting members grasp.
 10. A system according to claim 9 wherein: A. said latching portions of said projecting members are in the form of generally hemispherical cups.
 11. A system according to claim 1 which includes: A. first readily identifiable sonar target means other than, and connected to, said anchoring device, B. second readily identifiable sonar target means other than, and connected to, said anchor station. 